Caracal: Rheinmetall's 4x4 for special forces on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Military vehicles for special and airborne operations are becoming increasingly topical due to the evolution of wars.

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Combat is becoming more frequent in the field of what is known as asymmetric warfare, in which special operations groups play a fundamental role. Their missions often take place in difficult terrain and in theaters of operations where it is not possible to have a military logistics chain, so they have to rely on local resources. This encourages manufacturers to make vehicles whose spare parts are compatible with widely used civilian models, such as Toyota SUVs.

In June of last year, the German firm Rheinmetall presented the Caracal, a vehicle focused on special and transported operations made in collaboration with ACS and Mercedes-Benz. In fact, the chassis on which it is made in Caracal is that of the famous Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV, whose military versions have been active in the Armed Forces of Germany and other countries for many years. Today I came across this video from Rheinmetall showing the Caracal:

In the video you can see some details of the Caracal that are classics of special operations vehicles, such as its open body, its ability to attach different types of weapons (in the images we see a Browning M-2 machine gun of caliber 12.7 mm) and its design prepared to attach backpacks and other equipment.

However, and perhaps due to the very size and design of the vehicle, certain things are missing, such as rooms to transport fuel and/or water cans, something important in special operations missions. In this respect, the Caracal is closer to the characteristics of a vehicle for airborne forces than for special forces , despite its appearance.

However, and perhaps due to the very size and design of the vehicle, certain things are missing, such as rooms to transport fuel and/or water cans, something important in special operations missions. In this respect, the Caracal is closer to the characteristics of a vehicle for airborne forces than for special forces, despite its appearance.

The dimensions of the vehicle are 4.35 meters or 4.7 meters long (depending on the version), 1.81 meters wide and 1.85 meters high. Its weight is 4,900 kg, which can be reduced by 500 kg for transport by air. It will have optional add-ons to add armor against bullets and protection against mines, according to the German company.

It is scheduled for mass production to begin this year and versions for personnel transport, reconnaissance, ambulance, command post and engineers will be made. The version we see in the video would be the transport of personnel.

One of the more interesting options, which also appears in the video, includes a smoke grenade launcher with ten launchers, located in front of the machine gun mount. This option will depend on the configuration of the vehicle.

One of the most attention-grabbing features is the camouflage masking tailored to the vehicle, which practically turns the Caracal into a bush on wheels. The German Army already has good experience in the use of these camouflage nets, being one of the European armies that uses the most and in a more adjusted way to the vehicle, helping to reduce its thermal signature.

As for its power plant, the Caracal has a 6-cylinder diesel engine with a power of 249 HP. It is capable of reaching a speed of 130 km/h on the highway and overcoming slopes with a gradient of 60%, with 30% lateral inclination. It can overcome trenches up to half a meter wide.

The question that arises with the Caracal is if it will be compatible with parts for other more accessible SUVs in third world countries. Keep in mind that the civilian version of the G-Class is an expensive vehicle and that it is not as abundant as the typical Toyota in many countries. Presumably Rheinmetall will have anticipated this issue, which may affect the operability of this vehicle.

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Photos: Rheinmetall.